The weekend is upon us. Again. Didn’t we have it last week? Or was it yesterday. One can lose track of time when we are enjoying it. Looking at it, that is “time” in a new perspective or dimension; opens a whole new realm of possibilities for us. Maybe, it is just me as I get older (aren’t we all? Who isn’t?); wade through the distractions of things and the fluff of what social media, advertising and A.I. (known by mostly everyone, though not everyone knows it stands for Artificial Intelligence. See…it’s working. People are beginning to live in fantasy and forget what the real; world is) are smoke-screening our lives with.
Thavam is seizing the moment. With her copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. Starting young, she has dynamic plans for her future.
Jeannie, also known as The Batik Influencer, and I; with my pen, cutting a large letter “W” (not “Z” as another character does); are at Amcorp Mall; where people from around the world converge to look for keepsakes and collectibles they can acquire. They also know it is the place where they can relax and chill without having to jostle with too crowded a place.
We would love for all of you to come visit us at our booth F1.09, where there is soft sometimes loud…er music, flowing out from the Marshall Emberton III speaker. One would be pleasantly surprised at the amazing dynamic range of sound this speaker delivers. The Batik Influencer has come up with a new range of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations, extremely limited in the numbers available, so come quickly and get yours. We enjoy catching up with our old friends, old new friends; and new friends we are about to get acquainted with. There is so much to catch up about.
For instance, Ryan. He was walking past with his young daughter. I commented that his beard was shaped like the Bugatti logo. And we hit it off from there. He acquired a copy of my book. He has been giving me feedback and suggestions on my marketing of this book and possibilities for my next book. I have been busy taking down notes. There have been others too, who have given constructive suggestions – there are many…so many that I decided to get a Plaud to make sure I don’t miss out on any. I can’t put all the suggestions into one book. However, they will be given due consideration.
For now, let’s have fun. The Batik Influencer and I, the Hatted Writer; look forward to meeting you all at our booth over this weekend. Have fun.
And she now has her very own JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation, the first of many more to come.
Dr. Nazeera, with her copy of my book.
Mr. Bugatti himself, Ryan.
Alveena, a name to watch out for. Put a note in your note book to watch out for her. A flyer, commonly termed that for a person whose favourite is one of the tougher strokes of the four strokes in competitive swimming. Here she is with a copy of my book.
The Queen Jeannie of Borneo, who under disguise is the Batik Influencer; perpetuates peace wherever she goes.
Oozing with confidence, trying on one of the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
The emphasis on the lovely and colourful aura, the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation has.
This one or this one? They are all so beautiful.
Oooooyea, she’s got her copy.
And this is how we have a picture taken. Yasmin, with her copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
Address: Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.09, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: June 20th – June 21st, 2026 Time: 10.00am to 6.00pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
🎵It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas🎄, everywhere we go🎶… and you know how the rest of the song goes. Join in the festivities.
Jeannie (The Batik Influencer) and I (also known by many as the Hatted Writer), together with my cousin and friends; have been on a tour of sorts, or pilgrimage if you may; of some of the major shopping centres in Kuala Lumpur (1) or Kay El (K.L.) and Petaling Jaya or Pee Jay; checking our the level of christmassness each of them had to offer. It was more of the company and building the drama towards the big day and then, being filled with the reason of Christmas.
Though we have not planned, nor it is our intention to cover each and every of the many (there are multiple x many in Subang Jaya, Kay El and Pee Jay) shopping centres or malls, I dare say we have visited quite a few over the last few days.
Our first “official Christmas visit” was Sunway Pyramid, obviously due to it being amongst the closest of all the malls to our house.
Our next was to Bangsar New Village, then Bangsar Shopping Centre, TRX, Pavillion, KLCC and Nu Sentral.
At KLCC, I decided to visit one of Malaysia’s most well known and premier bookstores – Kinokuniya. My book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT is available at their store. You can get your copy of the book at Kinokuniya.
Or, you can get it directly from me, whichever best suits your convenience.
I will be at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya or Pee Jay P.J.), together with the Batik Influencer, my wife, Jeannie; tomorrow (Saturday – December 13th) and Sunday, December 14th. I will be very happy to specially personalise your copy of the book. I am looking forward to meeting all of you.
The Batik Influencer has a whole new range of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation with her this weekend. They are, very, very limited number of pieces. Come on over as early as possible to get one, two or more of JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
Christmas is just a wee number of days away. So, if you want to bring your guitars, violins, keyboards, trumpets, tubas, triangles to play and sing Christmas carols, the Batik Influencer and I will definitely join in the fun. Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la🎵🎶
It is also getting to be the time when we have to prepare our goals, directions, dreams and aspirations, if we have not done so already (for some of us). I, for one; am grateful for each moment that has not presented itself yet, for the “now” moment and for the one that has just left. I had a traumatic (can I say that?) experienced which began about 48 hours ago and lasted for about a day, until the clearance that all was ok was confirmed. This experience is for another essay, maybe soon.
Now, let the weekend began. Oh, it has already.
Address: Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: December 13th – December 14th, 2025 Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm(can be extended to 7.00pm)
Where have all the days, the work days, that is; in the week gone? Before you realise that you are on one of the weekdays – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; they vanish right beneath your feet. Time is moving so fast that warp speed seem unnervingly slow. It is quite unfortunate that many of us are moving from weekend to weekend, without actually living the workdays in each week.
Life is short, very short. Each moment that comes from the future, becoming the present, and soon vanishes into the past is gone – twee twee tak balik (1), unretrievable, can’t rewind… So, we should count each moment every day and make them count. There are gonna be great days and there are gonna be days that could have been better. Each day is definitely a plus.
I heard a preacher once say that we cannot control the beginning and the end of our lives, which are givens. What we can control is between those two givens. The length of time between those givens are different for each of us. It is like as though we are presented with a blank canvas for us to paint the best picture of how we are going to make our lives to be.
For me, I wish the weeks were elastic so that I could stretch them. I have so many things to do, writing being one of the main items on my list. I have a growing backlog of essays that I would like to write on subjects, that would be interesting and fun to explore and put pen to paper…in this case keyboard tapping to words on the screen.
One for the camera.
Showing that the JEANNIE;S OWN Batik Cape Creation is a fashion symbol for any occasion, anytime.
The WOW factor.
This weekend, which has begun just over 4 hours ago (the time is 4.10am at this point of keyboard thumping) this Saturday morning; the Batik Influencer, Jeannie (my wife) and I, Alan, the Hatted Writer; will be at our usual place at F1.08 on the first Floor of Amcorp Mall. The Batik Influencer has got a new range of her very famous JEANNIE’S OWN label Batik Cape Creations that she will be showcasing. Very limited in numbers; come quickly to acquire one of each design pieces. She represents the Malaysian in each of her pieces.
The doctor and the Hatted Writer.
Dr. Michael with his copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT, and I.
Last weekend; I had the pleasure of meeting my school (La Salle Primary & Secondary School, Klang) classmate, Dr. Michael Lee Pillai who came by with his wife, daughter and her husband. Dr. Michael and I have known each other since we were 10 years old. I remember having had to go to his house twice a week for Bahasa Malaysia tuition when we were in Standard Five (1969’s version of today’s Year 5).
It was a nice surprise meeting him and his family. We don’t meet as often as we would like to. A major event in the works, coming up is our 50th anniversary reunion. It would good to meet with the other schoolmates of 1975 graduation.
Dr. Michael got a copy of my book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT, with me personalizing it for him.
I am expecting to meet a gentleman this weekend who had a serious issue in writing an article. He was inspired by my book, and my story behind writing and publishing it. Several months had gone by but he couldn’t stitch an article together. I helped him by providing him a solution. And that was it. He was sure to have this important article that he was to write, done, and present to an important group of people. He is coming back to see me and tell me how he fared with finally being able to assemble enough words together to create a highly credible article for his presentation.
The Batik Influencer and I, the Hatted Writer; have had the wonderful opportunity of meeting multiple number of people that visit us at our booth each weekend. These people are mainly Malaysians. We have also met many people of different nationalities from China, U.S,A., the U.K., Japan (Akato is coming to visit us again this weekend), Brunei, Australia, Singapore, India, Mauritius, Maldives, Italy, and many more. We welcome everyone to come visit us. That includes you, our friends. Looking forward to meeting with all of you.
NOTES: 1. Twee twee tak balik is a famous Malaysian play slang in the Bahasa Malaysia language; which means not “twee twee” coming back. “Chup” is another word which means the same thing “or cannot take back.
Address: Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: September 27th – September 28th, 2025 Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
As the weekend approaches, the atmosphere begins to lighten up a bit. Stress (for those who have it) seems to be offloading itself into the corners of the work week, people become more at ease…somehow, we can hear music… and it’s getting louder… lively music…dance music…. Then, reality hits…We are stuck in a Friday stall…crawl, jam. But it doesn’t hurt to set the mood…
We are happy… or at least relieved some what that the weekend is upon hand. We get to do “our thing”, whatever it may be. I know of a guy some years ago, who would get home, sit in front of his large fish aquarium, and talk to his fish for hours. He said it was very teurapatic (therapeutic) [my spelling of the word versus the actual one in brackets – close😏😉🤣]. Right…
Celebrating the Writer INNOVATOR.
We, that is my wife – Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, and I – Alan, the Hatted Writer; will be at our booth, located at F1.10, first floor; to celebrate the 68th year as an independent nation with all you lovely people. As Malaysia celebrates, so does its people.
Merdeka today, is not just about flag waving or standing at attention when our national anthem is sung, it is more than that. It is about a nation that continues to work towards being a culmination of peace. That peace is freely offered towards all its peoples and the ever-growing number of people visiting our country, and even calling Malaysia “home”. Sure, there are little bumps and hiccups along the way, it is evident that we are conscientiously working at smoothening them out.
This gentleman definitely has moved in strides and made a fashion statement. I love his spectacles. His hat hints that he could be a Broadway dancer.
The Batik Influencer will be showcasing her latest in Batik Cape Creations under her JEANNIE’S OWN label. The number of pieces available is very limited. So, it would be best for you to come early and get at least one for your very own self. What a way to celebrate this year’s MERDEKA.
I, amongst the many things of our own which we will make available for you to acquire (yes, these multiple items were collected during our travels made over the years); will be showcasing my just published book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. Here is the opportunity to get a specially personalised copy by the author, direct from the author, himself.
Celebrate Merdeka 68 with Jeannie, The Batik Influencer; and I, Alan, The Hatted Writer, at Amcorp Mall, 30 August – 1 September 2025.
The Batik Influencer demonstrating the versatility of one of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
Yes, this is totally me! Awesome!
Samsung Galaxy Fold 5, Crumpler and Ferrari all have something in common, quality. They ooze in greatness.
Mother and daughter combination – JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
Long time dear friend, Richard Kok; with his copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
I am glad to share the success of having published this book with Richard Kok. Success is about getting on with it. Now, for my next book…
Prim and proper. Beauty and elegance. Everything matches, including the ring,
With the unique lace version of a JEANNIE’S OWN Batic Cape Creation.
A new follower, Erryq; with his copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
Address: Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.10, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: August 30th, August 31st & September 1st 2025, Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 8.00pm)
Celebrate the weekend, come on, There’s a party going on over at Amcorp Shopping Mall in Petaling Jaya; as there has always been every weekend. Theme: Flea Market. It is a party for all ages – there is always something for everyone. My wife, Jeannie, the Batik Influencer; and I, the Hatted (have to make sure I type this correctly…otherwise havoc! Lucky I saw the spelling error, 😂) Writer ; will be there, manning a booth at our current usual spot (F1.08, First Floor).
One could be forgiven to think that our weeks seemed to have shortened to a mere Saturday, Sunday. Monday, Friday…and it’s back to Saturday. It seems that was as time keeps zooming past us at breakneck (not literally) speeds. I am a firm believer in living each moment in the present.
The speed of each moment is supposed to be way, way faster than each second; I believe that speed is relative. We can actually feel and live each moment as we do each day, month, year. Or it can be absolutely fleeting as we feel the days, months, year has been. You may think that it requires some skill to capture each moment. Maybe it does. We can start by looking at time in a different perspective. That rushing and jam-cramming schedules so that we can add more to our free time that we have managed to save, is not all that important. Just saying.
The Batik Influencer is showcasing a whole new range of her Batik Cape Creations under the JEANNIE’S OWN label. Like always, the number of pieces to be made available; is limited to several, only. You will have to come to our booth quickly to acquire one of these very limited in n umber one-of-a-kind JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape creations.
Should I or should I not? That is the question.
I am looking forward to meeting multiple x multiple numbers of my followers and owners of my book, SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. I learn so much (cannot quantify the amount) from all of them. Their insights go a long way for the book titles I am working on. I can’t fit all the insights and ideas into each book title, that’s for sure because the spectrum of ideas from end to end is so wide. However, just like each sunrise every morning where as time progresses in the day and the sun becomes brighter, and we filter the rays and light to choose what best suits us; I will do the same with the ideas for each book title.
Percy Reyes and I; the Hatted Writer, also known as The Writer Innovator – Alan Ian Atkinson 😁. Percy and my dad are first cousins. Does that make him my cousin brother, or my brother’s cousin? Or is it second or third cousin?
Amcorp Mall has loads and loads to offer from the safe to say, “most renown flea market in Malaysia” to the many stores and restaurants that surround the flea market. Come on over to be in the most happening Flea Market in Malaysia. If you have a prior appointment elsewhere, try to relocate the appointment to Amcorp Mall.
The Batik Influencer and I will be at F1.08, First floor; to greet you, to entertain and be entertained by all you wonderful people. Par-t-eee! (wrong spelling for “party”).
Regal! Trying out and acquiring this absolutely stunning JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation. The King & I. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Thomas Doherty, an ex- U.S. Vet – Navy, the proud owner of a copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
“Best wishes! Live life to the fullest!” -a personalised message in Thomas Doherty’s copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
She acquired it. Another happy person.
Address: Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: August 16th – August 17th, 2025 Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
Did we not just come out of a weekend? Sure looks that way. It feels like it is only yesterday that we ended the day at Amcorp Mall sales. It feels like this week skipped Monday thru’ Friday to get to today. How time flies when you are having fun.
The Batik Influencer ready to greet the many visitors who will be stopping by to enquire about the limited number of her JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
We were ready from the word “Go”, to meet and greet our long time (not “old”. People may think that this refers to their age) friends, relatives and the many, many new friends that will stop by our booth this weekend.
Paying close attention as the Batik Influencer demonstrates multiple ways the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creation can be worn.
The weekend saw us gain multiple new friends. And quite a few friends that we had met recently. Jeff was one of them.
He and his wife came over previously and purchased one of the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations. This time he came to get his personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. We had a long conversation where we shared stories of our growing up days. It was nice of him to spend some time at our booth.
Jeff, who purchased one of JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations before, now has purchased a copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
Haniza with her personalised copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT.
Haniza Binti Hashim was taken up with the Batik Influencer’s Batik Cape Creations and got one for herself. When I told her that I was the author of the books displayed on the table, she got a copy for herself, personalised naturally.
The angled look. Practicing poses before the camera. How to look sophisticated, yet relaxed. That’s easy. Be sleepy (Due to less than 3 hours sleep the night that just became day a few hours ago.
All displayed up and ready to greet our past, present and new customers-to-be.
Ooooooh – no, too many “o”s, it should be “ohh”. Or could it be, “Oh like that one oso can”, though she does not look like a person who talks that way. Or, Oic (O, I see).
Professor Dato Dr Johan was captivated by the title “SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT”. He was relating to how we must take action ourselves, to create the spark.
Professor Dato Dr Johan with his copy of SPARKS FOR JOY – LIVE THE MOMENT. He wanted his copy to be personalised, too.
Professor Johan asked to have his book personalised so that he can tell people, he personally met the author of this book.
Professor Dato Dr Johan’s copy, personalised.
Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, had an interesting lady come by to try on a couple of her capes. She was a social media influencer. Tall, dressed – model style. She was having fun with what she was doing . She had a “director”, a lady who looked only work and more work; and a camera man. This tall, lanky lady was not camera-shy, that’s for sure.
Ma, she’s making eyes at me.Ma, she wants to marry me.
Ma, she’s awful nice to me.
The actress from the movie, AVATAR.
“AVATAR” the movie.
Wah! You soo-oo-ooo leng lui, trying on one of the JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
Just married, a month ago. A gift to herself as a newly married woman.
Amira, a newlywed of about a month, straight away took a liking to the Batik Capes that were on display and had to get one for herself. After purchasing the cape, she came back about an hour later with her husband, to introduce him to us.
The weekend was over before we knew it.
Now, we are in this weekend, March 22nd – 23rd. The Batik Influencer and I, also know as the Hatted Writer, will be in Amcorp Mall, at our booth – F1.08, the same place that we have been over the last couple of weekends.
There is a whole new range of Batik Capes, very limited of course, to a small number of pieces. Come over quickly to get your own, and even as gifts for your relatives and friends.
I, Alan Ian Atkinson, 😁, will be at hand to personalise your copy of SPARKS OF JOY – SEIZE THE MOMENT. I know one of those who purchased the book, is flying in from Tokyo and will be coming over to our booth today. See you there, too.
Have fun guys!
Address: Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: March 22nd – March 23rd, 2025 Time: 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
The first Saturday and Sunday, which is the first weekend of the year, 2025. Into the 4th day of the year, with 361 days to the end of the year; just in case you are counting.😂
The first three days has put us through the paces with challenges (for the want of a better word) which we didn’t see coming, and those that we knew were on the horizon but kept putting them off “to a later date”.
Feelings or how we feel or react comes into play. Are we in control of them or they in control of us. It all boils down to the choices we make. Without a doubt, it has been an exciting three day start.
Jeannie, the Batik Influencer (who happens to be my wife, too); and I, the Hatted Writer (Alan); are in Amcorp Shopping Mall today and tomorrow. We believe that every new moment (and day), offers us opportunities to live life to the fullest, which we are doing and will continue to do.
Intrinsic designs and colours. JEANNIE’S OWN Batik Cape Creations.
We are so looking forward to seeing and meeting with all of you over these next couple of days. Share your experiences with how the start of the new year has been for you. Some of you may have extended your leave by taking January 1st and 2nd off; and would only be “starting” your new year per se on Monday. How nice. We are looking forward to having loads of stories, especially new ones to share.
The Batik Influencer has some of her new batik Cape Creations under her label, “JEANNIE’S OWN”, that she will be showcasing. These are an array of amazing designs and colours. Bright red, different shades of gold, light blue or a sort of turquoise (yay! I got that spelling correct). The patterns and designs – are works of art. One just gaze at them and be lost in the wonders of these beautiful designs. Come and get yours quickly.
My book, which had a bit of a delay, promises to be out real soon. It just went through its edit, with a few additional adjustments and then it would be good to go. Teaser: First word of it’s title: “SPARKS”. I am superly excited about it. It has elements in it that stretches the English language. I wish I could tell you more… Maybe, I can… it is a real book…for all ages. You can mark the chapters that you like best, you can put all sorts of markings it it, and you can share it with anyone.
Come over to our booth at F2.15 which is located on the second floor. We have many things of interest, including a whole range of James Bond cars and Ferraris, too. There is even an Alfa Romeo Tonale. Many are collectibles.
We will at our booth from 10.00am onwards. Let’s make some noise…Lot’s of noise😉😂😂😂
Something for everyone.
Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 2.15, 2ndFloor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: January 4th & 5th: Time: , 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
Yay! It is the weekend again. We sure can be happy about it. The last two evenings, coming through P.J. on the Federal Highway and surrounding areas was what can I say? “Peachy”. It put P.J.’s road system to the limit. You are going to say, “What system?” I am sure that all of you who were on the Federal Highway or surrounding areas are going to agree with me and say, “Yes, it was just…’peachy’”.
To be fair, it was the exceptional heavy rain downpour that probably was the culprit. Come to think of it, in all the areas that we drove through on both evenings, we had missed both storms. The rain at its heaviest, was just a heavy drizzle. Today, the weather is fine. And, I don’t need to pick my wife, Jeannie; and our daughter, Laura; up from work. They both, have own their plans for the evening.
Which leaves me home alone. It works out well for me as I have lots to do in the current phase of getting my book manuscript ready for publication. My target deadline is to complete this phase by middle of next week.
Both Jeannie, who is the Batik Influencer; and I; are looking forward to this weekend, which has officially begun. We are looking forward to it because we will be having a booth at Amcorp Mall Shopping Centre in P.J.. We always look forward to having a booth there as it gives us multiple opportunities to meet and make new friends.
As the Batik Influencer, Jeannie talks of batik with passion. Batik designs are endless. They are either factory or block printed, or hand painted motifs. Hand painted motifs are really for the exceptional exclusive few.
Batik showcases colour in all its richness and vibrancy. I love colour. At one time, handheld Personal Digital Assistant devices boasted 16k (16,000) colour screen displays. Recently, the brand, Oppo, a smartphone maker from China, introduced its Reno8T model, which is capable of displaying 1 billion colours. Wow! Technology takes the spectrum of colours to a whole new level. Can you imagine, batik, in its finest; displaying 1 billion colours in its prints?
The Batik Influencer will be showcasing her Batik Cape Creations under the “JEANNIE’S OWN” label. There are a very limited number of pieces of these “JEANNIE’S OWN” Batik Cape Creations available. So, come early to get yours. One of our good friends, Jino Lim; has somehow always missed us. So, we have to send a personal invite to him and his wife, Angie; to head on down to our booth this weekend.
I will get the opportunity to meet followers, readers and visitors of www.leatherpotato.com in person. I am honoured to meet these wonderful people. They share their views on the articles and have many, many suggestions for various stories, and cafes and restaurants all over town that I should write about. The biggest takeaway I guess, is that they are excited for me, that my book is going to hit the bookshelves at bookstores real soon. They are pre-booking orders so that they can be the first to get the first series print. They seem to be making it a “limited edition”😁. One of the most important points that resonates with them is that this will be a physical book.
A physical book offers the opportunity of the reader getting immersed in the stories, which come alive as they are being read. There are no distractions like notifications and other such things that you would get if you were reading from a screen. No glare, pleasing to the eyes. Anytime, you want to re-read the story or article, you just refer to the book. As the Hatted Writer, I am always reminded of the multiple reasons that reading a physical book is always better.😊
While we take weekends running a booth at Amcorp Shopping Mall such as this as an opportunity to meet new people, we are just as happy to meet with all our exisiting friends again. We have met multiple people whom we had not seen in years, come by. I wonder who will be the mysterious friend or friends this weekend.
We are at Booth F1.08, First floor. Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Amcorp Shopping Mall, Booth 1.08, 1st Floor, , 8, Jalan, Persiaran Barat, Seksyen 52 Petaling Jaya, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Date: October 5th & 6th: Time: , 10.00am to 5.30pm (can be extended to 7.00pm)
That was the time we sauntered (1) in. We carried the two biggest bags out of our car. Looking at us, one would think that we were running away from home; or was it “ran away from home” since we had already done it; i.e. the action was already put into motion.
Just before arriving here, we stopped by at New Apollos restaurant near our house; to get my “fix”. Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, also known to be known as my wife; brought along our Goji and Rain 532ml Hydraflasks. For those wanting to go out and get themselves a Hydraflask Goji or Rain 532ml flask; it may be a bit difficult as it does not show up on their website. “Goji” and “Rain” are Hydraflask’s version of Red (Goji) and Grey (Rain). I know, I know, my thoughts exactly! Why can’t they just call a red a red and a grey a grey.
We hand over our Hydraflasks to the drinks guy who promptly fills these containers with Nescafe Ice Kaw Kaw, including adding several ice cubes to make sure the drinks stay chilled throughout the day. The Hydraflasks do an outstanding job in keeping my Nescafe ice Kaw Kaw super ice cold, right up till the evening, when we pack to head home.
So, we lugged, tugged, dragged (not really) our two biggest bags from our car to the booth, first. We laid out all the main things like the batik, Hotwheels cars, watches, and some tech stuff. We made a couple more trips back to our car, which was 3 levels below us, in the carpark.
It did not take us very long to set the booth up the way we wanted. People were in a “Relak lah, brudder” (2) “Sunday mood”, which was good. A change from the usual “hard at work week”, for most of us, at least.
Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy New Year) – the Chinese New Year decorations are still up.
While I watched people go by, I recognised a gentleman walking by in his Sunday’s best at relaxing. “Mervin”, I called out. The gentleman turned round, “Hey! Alan”. With him, was a young lady who was heavily tattooed. She also happened to be the younger of his two daughters. Mervin, his siblings and parents, their cousins, uncles and aunties, have been close friends of the Atkinsons of Klang; going back over 50 years. It was good catching up on things since we last met, here, at Amcorp Shopping Mall; a few months ago, when he passed our booth.
Mervyn Gomes, with the unhatted (at the time of this picture) Hatted Writer.
I came to the mall today, unhatted. (3) I already had my sights for the “tweed” and was waiting for the right moment to visit Mahmud.
Mahmud was a floor above us, on the west side. I put the flat cap (also knowns as the “newboy” cap) on, and it was perfect. Mahmud said it matched the sling bag I had today.
Mahmud, the hats and specs guy with me, the Hatted Writer.
Me, the Hatted Writer; sporting the tweed Newsboy flat cap. I love it.
One could be forgiven if he or she for a moment thought this was Sir Elton John or John Lennon with me. I wonder why? Must be his smile, no? Mahmud, with me, the Hatted Writer; at his booth on the second floor.
Another satisfied customer. The red was super, awesomely striking; making the gold flower designs rich.
Throughout the day, there were people coming by, purchasing many of the Hotwheels vehicles that were on display, A guy bought my Thronmax full professional mike set. I used it only once thinking I was going into podcasting. However, I realised that I was not ready for podcasts now. The planning, script writing, perfect environment, editing – this was not my thing. At least for now. I may pick it up again sometime in the near future. Another person also bought my Cross fountain pen, which I first purchased 40 years ago. That guy is going to get many years of good writing experience from it.
Jeannie, the Batik Influencer, and I, (yes, ’tis I) Alan, the Hatted Writer; at our booth F1.16.
I was also the D.J. for the afternoon; playing a wide variety of English and Malay songs. I played Liyana Fizi’s “Nona Nona Zaman Sekarang”, “Stay”, “Jatuh”; CCR, Michael Buble, Meghan Trainor, Ushera, Sheila Majid with her hit, “Sinaran”; just to name a few. I saw lots of people moving to the rhythm of the songs,. enjoying what they heard. Probably a good 3 hours of music. I think the speaker must have popped as there is a bit of a rattling sound when the volume is turned up.
And another happy customer – this couple purchased the last batik cape under the label of “Jeannie’s Own” that Jeannie had with her for the day.
A Singaporean couple came by just as were about to pack up for the day. They purchased the last of “Jeannie’s Own” batik capes that the Batik Influencer had for the day.
The “CARS” display, keychain, and the diecast cars of Mater and Flo, were also sold just before we closed. Everything CARS is sold.
By the time, we got everything packed in the car (we did not saunter. We moved at a much faster pace as we wanted to get home), it was past 6.00pm.. It had been quite a long day.
I, during the day, through observations as it (the day) went passed; have got several more ideas for my book. Right now, it seems disjointed. I need to thread the ideas together. While it looks like a trillion (4) piece jigsaw puzzle at the moment, the excitement is building up working at putting these pieces together.
NOTES: 1. “Sauntered” means to walk in a slow, relaxed manner. 2. “Relax lah, brudder” (spelt according to how it sounds) means take it easy. It is very common to hear this in everyday life in Malaysia. Though the little speck down south of the peninsula claims (like every other thing that becomes catchy and famous); that this popular phrase originated from them; there are doubts to this claim. 3. “Unhatted” means not wearing a hat. 4. Trillion a million million (1,000,000,000,000 or 1012).
